Crail Ranch Homestead Museum

Established as a homestead by Augustus Franklin Crail in 1902, and occupied by Crail family members for nearly half a century, the Historic Crail Ranch remains as a tangible reminder of the life of the earliest settlers in the Big Sky area.

For nearly 50 years, the Crail family ranched on this land, raising sheep, cattle, hay and wheat, and eventually expanding their holdings to 960 acres.

When Chet Huntley and his group came to the area in the late 1960s, the Crail Ranch buildings and property were among the first that they purchased for their planned Big Sky Resort.

Today the Crail Ranch is preserved as a homestead museum, offering guided tours on Saturdays and Sundays from 12 – 3PM during July and August. The Crail Ranch grounds are open during all other daylight hours in June and July for for walking tours, picnicking or connecting onto our trail system with the Crail Ranch trail.

Projects this summer: Thanks to the generous support of individual donors this summer the Crail Ranch homestead will be getting updated with the re-building of a dilapidating porch to it’s original state. Also look for a large landscaping improvement project in addition to two more interpretive signs to complete a walking tour of the ranch while also providing a park-like setting for visitors during the summer months.

Location – Crail Ranch is located in the Meadow Village at Big Sky, Montana. From Route 191, proceed west on the Spur Road 1.9 miles to the Meadow Village Center (Right onto Little Coyote Road), go past Chapel and ponds to the first left-hand road, or Spotted Elk. The ranch is to the left on Spotted Elk.

Restoration of the Historic Crail Ranch is a project of the Crail Ranch Conservators with support from BSOA, the Big Sky Resort Area District (tax monies) and individual donors.

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One our favorite trails to walk your dog, the South Fork Loop, just got better! We have installed a bear proof trash can, so you can help keep Big Sky beautiful and pick up after your four legged friend.15056267_10154724025434803_6887839951229265513_n

While you are out enjoying the trails this weekend with this beautiful sunny weather, make sure to check out our new interpretive signs along Hummocks and Uplands Trails! Thanks to Moonlight Community Foundation for funding the project and Gallatin River Task Force for providing the educational content.15036431_10154714151809803_8379948749504976435_n

Volunteer Spotlight: Al Lockwood has been a huge part in developing and curating the Historic Crail Ranch Homestead Museum. With a passion for history and over 10 years serving almost every weekend of the summer as a museum docent, we sure are going to miss Al and his wife Jane as they move on from Big Sky this year to spend more time traveling. However, we are extremely grateful for the imprint Al has made here in Big Sky, his work is now shared with so many others as they get the opportunity to learn about our Big Sky's history at the Crail Ranch!14714972_10154634703809803_4763472274592340210_o

Thanks to everyone that came out yesterday for a wonderful Community Celebration at the first annual Fall Festival! Here is a link to race result for our 10k Trail Run. http://muddydogsports.blogspot.com/2016/10/big-sky-community-fall-festival-october.html14753256_10154630531469803_5910011887079778275_o